THE EFFECT OUR ACTIONS LEAVE ON TREES
While trees have the ability and willingness to protect, save and nurture us, We as humans have not quite reciprocated the same toward it. In our blind consumption of selfish values we have in turn abused the sacred balance of life. We have turned it upside down and close to beyond recovery. Nature, with its unrequited love has turned into a dismal and alarmingly melancholic state. Global warming is at an all time high and we yet put hand over leadership to those who disregard it.
It is comes as no surprise that the earth is rapidly becoming more and more inhabitable causing our species to look for life beyond this planet. In it's most unnatural of ways and ever-so-harming we are taking drastic steps to save our species while only making things worse for where we currently existThe repercussions are not pleasing and with faith and hope and sheer will it is time we move forward in doing all that we can to restore the balance we once came into.
Many carry a misconception of reforestation having the ability to restore and achieve this balance all on its own a 100%. It is important to note that planted forests are very different from original forest cover in terms of species composition (planted forests are often monocultures), ecosystem functions, and their ability to support a wide range of plant and animal species. Every living organism plays a vital role in restoring the balance we seek.
THE DEMOGRAPHIC PROBLEM
A WAR ON TREES
“The [Millennium Ecosystem] assessment concluded that human activity has disrupted natural ecosystems more extensively in the past 50 years than in the entire course of human history, as large areas on all continents have been converted to farmland, forests have been felled for timber and to make way for pasture and the growing of crops, and the seas have been plundered for fish and other marine products.”
—Eric Chivian and Aaron Bernstein, editors of the textbook Sustaining Life
During the last two decades, agricultural expansion, logging, development, and other human activities caused the deforestation of more than 120,000 square kilometers each year. In contrast, an area only one-tenth that size was regained due to reforestation efforts and natural re-growth.1 This is the continuation of an historical process that has left the world with less than half of its original forests. While population growth and density are unquestionably related to forest cover trends, there is no simple way to describe or predict that association. Not surprisingly, the relationship is as complex as the regional and cultural variations in human societies and the changes in those societies over time.
Demographic factors including population growth, density, distribution, migration, and urbanisation are important drivers of deforestation. These factors drive much of the developing world’s deforestation by cutting down forests for settlement and food production. Growing populations mean increased demand for food, and a corresponding need to convert forests to agricultural land. Land shortages in traditional farming areas result from the combination of several factors— among them a growing number of people, a high population density, and the accumulation of previous population growth. Increased demand for fuel wood for household consumption is also a primary driver of deforestation. Household age and sex composition are also important factors in land use change, as they affect the relative availability of labor for potential forest clearing activities, such as farming and firewood gathering. A youthful age structure, in which a large majority of the population is younger than 30 years, may increase the momentum of a growing population.
THE ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUE
A TWO WAY STREET.
More than 80 percent of the world’s old-growth forests have been destroyed, taking with them the habitats of countless species. Each year, humans cut down an additional 32 million acres of forest, although that figure has been slowly shrinking in recent years due to local and international forest conservation efforts.
The destruction of forests in its most severe form leads to the desertification of vulnerable land. Where forests once stood, dirt and sand spread out for miles, creating virtual dead zones where most life cannot survive. According to the UN, over 250 million people are directly affected by desertification. One billion people in over 100 countries are at risk.
The causes of pollution are not just limited to fossil fuels and carbons emissions. There are many other types of pollution including chemical pollution into bodies of water and soil through improper disposal practices and agricultural activities. Pollution can particularly be categorised into 4 types. These are: Air Pollution, Water Pollution, Land & Soil Pollution, Noise & Light Pollution. We take a deeper look into the effects of these for both us and trees.
Air pollution causes a number of environmental effects, Like humans, animals can suffer from a number of health problems due to air pollution, including birth defects, reproductive failure, and diseases.
Acid rain contains high levels of nitric and sulfuric acids that are created by oxides and sulfur oxides released into the air by the burning of fossil fuels. Acid rain damages trees and acidifies soils and water bodies, making the water too acidic for fish and other aquatic life.
Nitrogen oxides released into the air by the burning of fossil fuels also contribute to the nitrogen responsible for toxic algae blooms.
The release of man-made compounds including hydrochlorofluorocarbons, chlorofluorocarbons, and halons formerly used as coolants, foaming agents, pesticides, solvents, aerosol propellants, and fire-extinguishers are depleting the ozone. The ozone layer in the stratosphere forms a protective layer that reflects harmful ultraviolet rays back into space that would otherwise destroy animal and plant life.
The fumes from car exhausts contain dangerous gases and particulates including hydrocarbons, nitrogen oxides, and carbon monoxide. These gases rise into the atmosphere and react with other atmospheric gases creating even more toxic gases.
According to The Earth Institute, the heavy use of fertilizer for agriculture is a major contributor of fine-particulate air pollution.
The level of pollution caused by agricultural activities is thought to outweigh all other sources of fine-particulate air pollution in these countries. Ammonia is the primary air pollutant that comes from agricultural activities. Ammonia enters the air as a gas from concentrated livestock waste and fields that are over fertilised This gaseous ammonia then combines with other pollutants such as nitrogen oxides and sulfates created by vehicles and industrial processes, to create aerosols. Aerosols are tiny particles that can penetrate deep into the lungs and cause heart and pulmonary disease. Other agricultural air pollutants include pesticides, herbicides, and fungicides. All of which also contribute to water pollution.
Water pollution is a serious threat to humans, animals, and aquatic life.
The effects of water pollution depend on which chemicals are being dumped where. Bodies of water that are near urbanized areas tend to be heavily polluted by dumbing of garbage and chemicals, both legally and illegally, by industrial plants, health centers, and individuals.
By far the biggest consequence of water pollution is the death of aquatic creatures, which can disrupt the entire food chain. Pollutants such as cadmium, mercury, and lead are eaten by tiny aquatic organisms that are then eaten by fish and shell fish, becoming more concentrated with each step up the food chain and causing serious problems in humans and wildlife. Nutrient pollution is caused by wastewater, sewage, and fertilizers. The high levels of nutrients in these sources end up in bodies of water and promote algae and weed growth, which can make the water undrinkable and depleted oxygen causing aquatic organisms to die. Pesticides and herbicides applied to crops and residential areas concentrate in the soil and are carried to the groundwater by rainwater and runoff. For these reasons anytime someone drills a well for water it must be checked for pollutants. Industrial waste is one of the main causes of water pollution, by creating primary and secondary pollutants including sulphur, lead and mercury, nitrates and phosphates, and oil spills. In developing countries around 70% of their solid waste is dumped directly into the ocean or sea. This causes serious problems including the harming and killing of sea creatures, which ultimately affects humans.
Land pollution is the destruction of land as a result of human’s activities and the misuse of land resources. This occurs when humans apply chemicals such as pesticides and herbicides to the soil, dispose of waste improperly, and irresponsibly exploit minerals through mining.
Soil is also polluted through leaking underground septic tanks, sewage systems, the leaching of harmful substances from landfill, and direct discharge of waste water by industrial plants into rivers and oceans. Rain and flooding can bring pollutants from other already polluted lands to soil at other locations.
Over-farming and over-grazing by agricultural activities causes the soil to lose its nutrient value and structure causing soil degradation, another type of soil pollution. Landfills can leach harmful substances into the soil and water ways and create very bad smells, and breeding grounds for rodents that transmit diseases. Land and soil pollution has substantial consequences for humans, animals, microorganisms and aquatic life. Contaminated land and soil can cause various problems on the skin, respiratory problems, and even different kinds of cancers. These toxic substances come into contact with the human body directly through eating fruits and vegetables that have been grown in polluted soils, being consumed through drinking water that has been contaminated, direct contact with the skin, and breathing in air polluted with particles and dust.
Deforestation is the biggest concern when it comes to land degradation and soil erosion. Clear cutting of vegetation and tree cover creates harsh conditions that destroy ecosystems and habitats. Deforestation also creates an imbalance in atmospheric conditions, reducing the amount of carbon that is naturally taken out of the atmosphere. This is a serious problem considering that most pollution created by people is carbon based.
Noise pollution can cause stress, anxiety, headaches, irritability, hearing loss, and sleep loss resulting in decreased productivity.Many mammals, insects, birds, and reptiles are photoperiodic meaning their movement, mating, growth and development, and eating cycles are regulated by natural light patterns. Light pollution can interfere with these natural behaviours and cycles, causing a decrease in wildlife populations.
Pollution needs to be dramatically reduced because it is destroying the environment we live in, contaminating our food and water, causing diseases and cancers in humans and wildlife, and destroying the air we breathe and the atmosphere that protects us from harmful ultra-violet radiation. It is the responsibility of every living person to protect the environment, and with the population ever increasing, pollution problems are only going to get worse unless we do something about it. Protecting the environment is a long and daunting task, requiring continuous planning, governmental policies, and public and industrial participation. However the result of ignoring the problem will be catastrophic and life as we know it will begin to end. By decreasing waste, implementing recycling policies, banning dangerous agricultural chemicals, and developing safe renewable energy we can significantly reduce the amount of pollution going into the environment annually and increase our quality of living. Everyone is entitled to clean air to breathe, water to drink, and public lands to enjoy. If you have any ideas on how to reduce pollution, please let us know. We care.